“Tizen” – Android’s Newest Competitor

The new Linux-based operating system called Tizen will enter the market soon. Samsung is rumored to have partnered with NTT DoCoMo, to produce the first line of smart phones using Tizen. The first devices should be out in early 2013, after the release of Tizen 2.0.

Tizen is an open source, standards-based software platform supported by many manufacturers. It offers an operating system, applications, and a user experience that consumers can take from device to device. Tizen can be used on smartphones, tablets, notebooks, In-Vehicle Infotainment, and Smart TVs.

The Tizen Association was created to guide and govern the usage of the operating system. It was formed in January 2012 to enable key stakeholders to actively shape the industry role of Tizen and develop its market presence. The members of this group are the giants of our global electronics industry. Just to name a few, Intel, Samsung, Panasonic, Huawei, and it’s newest member Sprint.

Currently, Google’s operating system Android, owns most of the global market share. They got there by offering their free operating system to the largest manufacturers of smartphones. This can also work against Google because they don’t manufacture their own phones. Their current Nexus 4 phone is manufactured by LG.

So what will happen if Samsung stops using Android on their devices? According to a TechCrunch article earlier this month, Samsung’s market growth seems to be slowing down, but they are still the leader with about 26%. If Apple owns about 18%, and assuming Samsung switches to Tizen, the Android market share will be capped at 56% of the hardware market. Of course this is only assuming that Apple and Samsung continue to control 44% of the market.

Google is not oblivious to what’s going on. In May this year, they bought Motorola for $12.4 billion. According to their latest 10-Q filing, they reported “The acquisition is expected to protect and advance our Android ecosystem and enhance competition in mobile computing.” Plus, there has been rumors of a new phone appearing in 2013 called the “X-Phone.”